Medigap

How many of you expats from the USA have "american" Medigap insurance. Supposedly covers one when out of country. My wife is getting near Medicare age, and we plan to spend part of the year in the North and part of the year in the South, and wonder if Medigap is the way to go?

Ami I the only one confused by all this Medicare?
If this has been discussed, please excuse. I had a private plan from my Mexican employer, but now have lost touch since rejoining the USA Corporation!

Thanks,

gm

Not sure about Medigap but since you stated 1/2 year NOB and 1/2 year SOB, if you are an AMEX cardholder, you might take a look at their travel insurance? We pay $11.95/month for the two of us and it provides medical coverage as long as one is 100 miles from our home address. One aspect of this coverage that attracted us what the Medical Evacuation clause that would get me back NOB for my Medicare coverage.

gringomojado wrote:How many of you expats from the USA have "american" Medigap insurance. Supposedly covers one when out of country. My wife is getting near Medicare age, and we plan to spend part of the year in the North and part of the year in the South, and wonder if Medigap is the way to go?

Ami I the only one confused by all this Medicare?
If this has been discussed, please excuse. I had a private plan from my Mexican employer, but now have lost touch since rejoining the USA Corporation!

Thanks,

gm

You aren't the only one confused gm. My medicare starts November 1st. I signed up with Health Net in Arizona. I asked about emergency coverage while in Mexico? They advised as long as I was not out of country more than 6 consecutive months, I would be covered. I must pay the bill and submit for reimbursement directly to them. Beyond that, I don't have a clue, as a newbie to the program.

Jim W

Couple of things, not relating to Medigap, exactly:

Part A of Medicare comes with you SS: no extra charge and no choice. You have it.
Part B is optional, and covers things Part A doesn't. You pay extra for it and it you plan to live and die in Mexico, it won't do you any good....but plans do change and if you drop it and want to re-up in the states, there are stiff penalties.

The E-Vac insurance will get you back to the states for treatment, but be sure you find out WHERE it will take you; to the nearest hospital over the border or to the hospital of your choice.....maybe in your home town.
Also bear in mind that you must first be "stabilized" here before they will take you anywhere.......so if you are at death's door, that's a problem. Discuss these things and read the fine print.

Personal opinion, for what it's worth: We dropped Part B when we moved here nearly nine years ago. The amount saved would pay for most medical crises short of a heart transplant. On principle: it seems unfair to penalize expats for not paying for coverage they can't use outside of the states.